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Presented by: Andrea Suarez Paris Recorded live on: November 12, 2025 Duration: 1 hour Watch the Replay If you missed the live session, you can now watch the full 2026 California Employment Law Update Webinar below. This session covers the new 2026 California employment laws and shares practical tips and resources to keep help employers prevent costly technical mistakes. Download the Slide Deck All attendees and readers are welcome to access the presentation slides. The deck

Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash Are you prepared for what’s coming? California employment laws evolve fast, and 2026 is bringing significant changes that employers need to prepare for now. From expanded protections to new compliance requirements, staying ahead is not just smart, it protects your business from costly legal pitfalls. Join us for a free, one-hour live webinar designed to help California employers navigate the updates coming in 2026 with clarity and confi

Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash If you’re reaching out for a California employment lawyer consultation, chances are you are likely dealing with something important and maybe even stressful. Feeling overwhelmed about talking to a lawyer? This guide—and the free checklist at the end—will help you feel confident and prepared for your first legal consultation. How you prepare for your first attorney call can make all the difference. That initial legal consultation with an attor

Photo by Radission US on Unsplash A wise colleague once told me, “You will always regret the client you take, but not the ones you don’t take.” Over time, I’ve found this to be true. As lawyers, we sometimes feel obligated to take on every client that walks through our doors. But the reality is, not every case is the right fit—whether it’s due to personality, expertise, or capacity. However, you can still help the potential client when they are not a good fit for you by findi

Image by freepik With increasing workplace immigration enforcement, employers must be prepared for visits from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE agents may appear at business to 1. investigate compliance with workplace rules as they relate to immigration laws (Form I-9 audit) or 2. enforce immigration laws (an ICE raid or an attempt to detain a worker). The thought of having any type of government agent appear at your

Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash In today’s fast-paced job market, Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just for tech companies—it’s a game changer for anyone looking to advance their career. Whether you’re actively job hunting or preparing for an interview, AI tools can give you the competitive edge you need. Here are a few ways you can leverage AI to make your job search and interview preparation smarter, faster, and more efficient. 1. Streamlining Job Search with AI AI t

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash As we kick off 2025, it’s time for employers to conduct an in-depth Employment Practices Audit. This audit isn’t just a checklist—it’s an essential step to ensure your workplace remains compliant with California’s ever-evolving employment laws. By auditing key areas of your business, you can reduce legal risks, promote a positive workplace culture, and avoid potential disputes with employees. Let’s take a closer look at how to audit each imp

2025 is set to bring critical changes to California employment laws, and staying ahead of these updates is essential for employers and HR professionals alike. To help navigate these changes, I had the pleasure of teaming up with LeiLani E. Quiray and her amazing team at be the change HR, Inc. for an engaging and informative 2025 California Employment Law Update Webinar. If you missed the live session, you can still get up to date and: Watch the full webinar recording HERE. Th

Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexel Facing a layoff can be a challenging and uncertain time, but knowing how to negotiate your severance package can provide crucial support during your transition. For employees from companies like Cisco, Paramount, Stellantis, and others who are currently navigating layoffs, it is essential to understand some basics about severance pay and how you can advocate for yourself effectively. What is Severance Pay for Layoffs? Severance pay is a form of

Life happens, people fall ill or their family members get sick and they need to take leave from work. Sometime’s it’s for a joyous occasion like the birth or adoption of a baby. But even joyous occasions are stressful for employees when it interrupts their ability to work. When an employee has to take leave from work, employers are then concerned about getting coverage and worried about administering the leave in a legally compliant way. Here is a guide to help both employers

Photo by BoliviaInteligente on Unsplash As we approach the end of the year, it is essential for businesses to review their operations and prepare for the changes that the coming year will bring. In January 2024, several new California Employment Laws will go into effect, impacting policies and budgets. This is a crucial time for employers to update their employee handbooks and hiring documents to ensure compliance with these new regulations. Minimum Paid Sick Leave Accrual Ca

Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash I heard about Jia Jiang’s Ted Talk called “What I Learned from 100 Days of Rejection” and as one does, thought, “That sounds like fun! I’ll give it a try!” I recommend watching the Ted Talk but the premise is to get over the fear of rejection by making requests of strangers. It seems that the more ridiculous the better. But I found that the most difficult ones weren’t the outrageous requests, but ones that I had a lot of value judgment aro

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash As artificial intelligence (AI), and more specifically, generative AI, increases in capability, use, and acceptance, it becomes increasingly vital for all businesses, even smaller businesses to establish an AI policy. It’s not just tech giants that need to concern themselves with the implications of AI; small businesses are equally accountable and have just as much to gain – or lose – from its potential. The Importance of an AI Policy in th

Photo by Thomas Kelley on Unsplash Female mid-managers at the Walt Disney Co. recently requested class certification in a lawsuit against Disney entitled LaRonda Rasmussen, et al. v. The Walt Disney Co. et al. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit seek $150 million in damages on behalf of themselves and other female mid-managers who worked for the Walt Disney Co. throughout the United States. The lawsuit against Disney alleges that the company discriminated against women who worked f

Photo by Aakash Dhage on Unsplash Welcome to 2023. New Year, New You, New California Employment Laws! Here is a quick overview of the most significant new laws that went into effect on January 1, 2023. This is not an exhaustive list but one that will apply to most small to medium-sized business owners in California. PRACTICAL TIP: Make sure your documents reflect that you are implementing changes that are applicable to your business. For example, update your written notice

Photo by Ryan Parker on Unsplash California’s AB 701 Amends section 138.7 and adds a new part to the Labor Code to specifically address Warehouse Distribution Centers. Which Employers Will be Affected by the New Law? Any company that employs (directly or through third parties and agencies): 100 or more nonexempt warehouse distribution workers at a single warehouse distribution center; OR 1,000 or more employees at one or more warehouse distribution centers in the state of Cal

Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash AB-654 went into effect immediately on October 5, 2021, and will expire on January 1, 2023. The law amends California Labor Code Section 6325 and amends and repeals Labor Code section 6409.6 relating to occupational safety and notice requirements about COVID-19 in the workplace. Below is an outline of an employers’ notice requirements as well as duties to report exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace. If you receive an OSHA that your place o

This series applies to California lawsuits only. For rules regarding your state’s civil litigation procedure, visit the website for your state’s judicial branch. It’s been while since I wrote a post for the Anatomy of a Lawsuit series but I’m back. So far, we’ve discussed Statutes of Limitations and Where to File a Lawsuit. Today I will give you a broad overview of the trajectory a lawsuit. In the following weeks, I will discuss each part in greater detail. Filing a Lawsuit I

Photo by Adam Nieścioruk on Unsplash What is Post-COVID condition? According to the CDC, although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience four or more weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Even people who did not have COVID-19 symptoms in the days or weeks after they were

Photo by StellrWeb on Unsplash The California Supreme Court, in the case of Jessica Ferra v. Loews Hollywood Hotel, LLC recently clarified the correct way to calculate meal period and rest break premium pay . . . and it’s not how most California businesses were calculating it. What are Meal Period and Rest Break Premiums? California Labor Code Section 226.7 requires employers to pay employees “one additional hour of pay at the employee’s regular rate of compensation for each